Maternity Bra

kalanieileen · October 2015

Hi mommies, I'm a FTM and I don't have an older woman that I can ask my questions... Soo I searched and didn't find much. But what type of maternity bra did anyone end up buying? Are there different types? What style/brand turned out to be the most comfy for you? And if there's only one type of maternity bra don't flame me I'm a n00b

kimey1 · October 2015

I was looking these up too - prices are so different from each place. Looking forward to advice from moms out there.

NachosAndPeaches · October 2015

I used the sleep style bras in the hospital and the first week or two. Then I had a few different brands I don't remember but I hated them all. So I paid a friend who sews much better than I do (read, more patience) to convert my Victoria's Secret bras to nursing bras. Best decision EVER.

kimey1 · October 2015

@NachosAndPeaches wow - didnt even think of this! I'm a solid VS user so I might try this too!

NachosAndPeaches · October 2015

It's actually quite easy to do. I just have too many embroidery orders to deal with sewing and I end up getting impatient and leaving midway and having my friend do it Hahahhaha.

It's great because you can wear them forever so you don't have to put them in storage when you're done nursing, and you can actually wear a legit nice padded bra.

kalanieileen · October 2015

Oh wow! @NachosAndPeaches I have a friend that sews! Maybe I will ask her... How exactly did she convert your bra to a maternity bra? I want to see if she can do it

sbw193 · October 2015

The first time around I spent a bunch of money on wireless bras bc the underwire was killing me. Towards the end I just bought a bunch of the padded one size fits all sports bras and they worked out perfectly. They worked out so well that I wore them after pregnancy and am wearing them this time around as well.

AGK2015 · October 2015

FTM as well, but a couple weeks ago I actually bought a few of the iLoveSIA seamless nursing bralettes off of Amazon in a fit of desperation. My bust size was increasing rapidly, and my patience for bra-shopping was non-existent. I LOVE them! We'll see how they work out when baby actually arrives, but for now, they're as comfy as a sports bra, with sufficient padding to keep me decent, enough shape that I don't look like I have a giant uniboob, and enough support that the girls still look reasonably perky.

Bonus: they come in S/M/L/XL and have a little room to stretch, so I didn't have to try to figure out what size I'm supposed to be now or guess what size I'll be in 6 months (I went with medium, and I'm probably sitting at 34DD or 34DDD). Best purchase of my pregnancy so far at $30 for a 3-pack.

pinottoparenthood · October 2015

Not sure why you would need a special maternity one? I just got a brand that I really like (that's supportive, flattering, etc.) in my new bigger size :-D Nordstrom Rack is a great place if you know what you need. Nordstrom proper does bra fittings and they're really good.

kalanieileen · October 2015

I don't necessarily need a maternity one.. that's just what I've read over these boards as the suggestion when your bust increases rapidly. I'll check our nordstroms rack, thanks!

NachosAndPeaches · October 2015

@kalanieileen she needs to buy nursing bra hooks online, and elastic. Cut the bra strap at the front base and out the pieces of the hook through the strap, sew down. Then sew a piece of elastic from the top part of the hook to he base of the bra, so the strap doesn't full undo or go behind you when you unhook. Will post pics (yes I'm wearing it lol)

NachosAndPeaches · October 2015

Here's an image. You can't tell I'm wearing a nursing bra despite how big the clasp appears in the pics. I wear them with spaghetti strap shirts all the time.

AmadorRose · October 2015

There are also tutorials all over Pinterest for nursing bras and tanks. I figure I'll get to that eventually. For now I'm in lightly padded Walmart bras because underwire and actual padding is entirely too much for me to handle right now.

sneakers03 · October 2015

I ordered these too! Have only worn them a couple days but they are winners in my book. I like the fact that I will also be able to use them for nursing. They are very comfortable and don't look weird under my blouse like some wireless bras do.

AGK2015 said:
FTM as well, but a couple weeks ago I actually bought a few of the iLoveSIA seamless nursing bralettes off of Amazon in a fit of desperation. My bust size was increasing rapidly, and my patience for bra-shopping was non-existent. I LOVE them! We'll see how they work out when baby actually arrives, but for now, they're as comfy as a sports bra, with sufficient padding to keep me decent, enough shape that I don't look like I have a giant uniboob, and enough support that the girls still look reasonably perky.

Bonus: they come in S/M/L/XL and have a little room to stretch, so I didn't have to try to figure out what size I'm supposed to be now or guess what size I'll be in 6 months (I went with medium, and I'm probably sitting at 34DD or 34DDD). Best purchase of my pregnancy so far at $30 for a 3-pack.

melandyga · October 2015

I am a DD while not pregnant, so finding something comfortable and workable was a must. I BF DD for 13 months and (after trying several options), ended up sticking with nursing bras from...drum roll...WAL-MART! Seriously! They were comfortable, washable, and effective and didn't cost $50 a pop either. They have them in real sizes, too, so it's not just small, medium, large. The best part about them, is that your breast is still supported, even when you unclip it to nurse. It's hard to explain, but there's like a triangle of fabric around the breast when you unclip the front flap. Some nursing bras I'd tried didn't have that middle "support" when you unclip it.

SUMMARY: For big breasted mamas, these are a must in my book! Just add a nursing pad in there and it's the only type of bra you'll need with baby. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Loving-Moments-by-Leading-Lady-Maternity-Wirefree-Sport-Nursing-Bra-with-Padded-Comfort-Straps-and-Full-Sling-2-Pack/23991280

They have nursing tanks in the same brand, but I never tried those. May have to with my little boy in a few months, though!

mumidi · October 2015

Last time I bought a few at Target toward the end of the pregnancy (actually I think I bought them when I needed a bigger size). Before baby came I bought two of the sleep ones and used them in the hospital and when I got home. I still have the sleep ones (I stopped BF after a few days so they didn't get used much). I hope to have more success this time.

krbjoy · October 2015

@melandyga Did you get your regular size or size up? If you sized up did you go up in cup or band size? I'm already a DD and am told my bbs will get bigger so I just don't know what to expect.

Achieverjo · October 2015

I went to Walmart and got a couple of sporty bras. They are shaped like a full coverage bra with a low neckline, are made of spandex and have clasps in the back.

Better to be comfortable with a little extra pocket change leftover.

linaboop · October 2015

The first time around I tried Target stuff first, but they made my itchy. Then I bought Pea in the Pod nursing bras that were underwire free. They are super comfortable, great for nursing etc., but I hate the way they make my breasts look. There just isn't enough shape and support. I'm between a D and DD normally and pregnancy usually turns me into DD+. Not quite a full size larger, just fuller looking in my normal bras.

The second time around I wore my normal bras while pregnant and once baby arrived I found some underwire nursing bras from Bare Necessities (don't remember which brands though). I still wore the Pea in the Pod ones around the house, just not out in public. For special occasions, when I wanted things to look their best, I wore my regular bra and slipped my breast out of it when it was time to nurse. I haven't found a nursing bra that I truly love. I will have to try to DIY suggestion after I finish sewing Halloween costumes.

melandyga · October 2015

I actually ended up with several different sizes based on what they had in-store when I went. I think I ended up with 36DD (my normal size) all the way to 40DD and they all fit basically the same by using different hooks. There are 3 or 4 sets of 4 hooks in the back, so it def. has adjustable support. I pretty much stuck to same cup size (since it was available). I still wore these around the house sometimes, even when I wasn't pregnant, because they were comfortable.

I think the craziest part that gets bigger is the areola. This may be TMI, but it's crazy how much it gets bigger and darker as your pregnancy continues!

allaire314 · October 2015

@melandyga yeah... it's freaky weird how dark mine already are!! Borderline embarrassing! :-O

krbjoy · October 2015

@melandyga Thanks! I figured I might have to get a couple sizes.

Mine haven't gotten very dark yet, but they are different...it seems like my nips are slightly pointing downward now.

fourtsixand2 · October 2015

I'm following this thread. I'm a 40G now (14 weeks pregnant) and I feel like I haven't grown much but my breasts are so sore right now they're killing me. I'm really looking for a new bra, hopefully without underwire but enough support to hold these girls up.

NachosAndPeaches · October 2015

Fun fact. Nipples get dark in pregnancy because babies are born basically only seeing contrast of colors, so the darker nipples against your skin helps them spot your nipple to nurse.

pinottoparenthood · October 2015

krbjoy said:

@melandyga Did you get your regular size or size up? If you sized up did you go up in cup or band size? I'm already a DD and am told my bbs will get bigger so I just don't know what to expect.

I have gone up from a 32D to a 34 DD. The band feels good, but I think I'm gonna have to go up another cup size.. yikes!

kiwichica77 · October 2015

I actually went up a band size as well as cup size, which makes me second guess buying any at this point, however, Soma has some very nice ones (2 for $50) with underwire, without, slight lining, without. I went in and tried them all on before buying two. I also think you may be able to Google a Soma coupon.

Pinguinageddon · October 2015

I just bought my first from Motherhood Maternity yesterday, and there's another there I want but am going to hold off on until closer to birth in case my boobs keep growinggg
I've gone up about a cup and a half so far, but if I get lucky, I'll be able to keep this around, since it's actually a nursing bra, and suuuper comfy, especially for a wire bra. The other one is a pretty sleeping one that felt like pillows, omg.
I pretty much just plan on sticking to the cheap cloth-and-strap they have at Walmart (I'm currently 38C) as they situate themselves, then grab a real bra or two when I'm around 37 weeks or so.

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